Put your computer skills to the test

Creative minds and multimedia fans are encouraged to design a virtual 'computer assistant' and win book coupons for their efforts.

Organised by the Computer Science Society (CSS) of the City University Students' Union, the competition is open to all secondary schools following the success of last year's inaugural contest.

To approach the theme of 'My Computer Assistant', participants are encouraged to make full use of their creativity and computer skills.

'Each team must design a computer assistant to be used on a two-dimensional e-learning interface for teaching primary school pupils mathematics,' said Joanne Ngai Chung-yan, vice-president (external affairs) of the CSS.

'Part of the challenge is for contestants to demonstrate how the assistant guides users through the interface.'

The competition is divided into two categories - junior (for Form One to Form Three students) and senior (Form Four to Form Seven students).

In addition to producing an e-learning interface, contestants - in groups of three to five - will also have to create a poster introducing their work.

The posters will be exhibited at the university's campus from October 2-8, when the public can vote for their favourite designs.

To prepare the students for the competition, the CSS will organise a series of complementary courses on multimedia production, interface design and animation production.

The courses are designed to enhance basic knowledge and will be taught by students from the university's department of computer science.

Ling Liang Church MH Lau Secondary School, which won the junior category last year, will be competing again this year.

Alex Yui Tsz-chit, a second-year computer science student, said he had benefited greatly from organising the competition last year.

Students were able to exchange and share their experience in multimedia production, he said.

The top three teams in each category will receive book coupons worth $800 to $1,500, trophies and certificates.

The entry in each category which gets most votes from the public will win a $500 book coupon and certificates.

Download the application form at http://su.cityu.edu.hk/css. Deadline for applications is August 11.